The South-West is a large territorial area of France, comprising the administrative regions of Aquitaine, Limousin and Midi-Pyrénées. However, as far as the French wine area is concerned, the South-West region is a little less clear-cut, as it excludes Bordeaux - a wine region so productive that it is de facto an area in its own right. The wines of the South West have a Long and eventful history. The local rivers play a key role, as they were the main trade routes to bring wines from traditional regions such as Cahors, Bergerac, Buzet and Gaillac to their markets.
The last Trading post before the wines left for the lucrative markets of Britain was the wine town and port of Bordeaux. Britain has been a historic trading partner for the region, which was nominally British for a period following the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry II of Britain. However, Bordeaux businessmen saw the wines in transit as competition for their own local products and took strong measures to ensure their financial security. The result is the French wine map we know today, with Bordeaux being promoted and the other wine regions of the South West struggling to gain recognition for the diversity and Character of their wines.
This history also explains why the Bordeaux Grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc are now three of the best-known grape varieties in the world, while traditional South West grapes such as Fer Servadou, Len de l'El and Tannat are relatively unknown.
In the face of rising temperatures and more frequent droughts, what can wine producers do to adapt their viticultural practices? Catalan producer Torres, which has emerged during the past decade as one of the global wine sector’s leading pioneers in tackling climate change, is experimenting with a range of creative ideas. Planting vines at higher altitudes is one option. The company is investing in cooler vineyards high in the mountains of the region. They have planted vines in Tremp at 950m in ...
Screaming Eagle, Harlan Estate, Mayacamas and Spottswoode are among the major names featured in the Napa Valley Library Wine Auction via Sotheby’s. More than 50 lots have been assembled for the sale, which began online this week and will culminate in a live auction on 5 February in New York. Organised in partnership with trade body Napa Valley Vintners, the auction includes vintages back to 1978 and wines have been sourced direct from winery cellars. One rare lot involves a magnum of each of Scr ...
Clotilde Davenne, from the eponymous estate, mentions the cherry as a main characteristic of the Irancy appellation. She tells us about the Pinot Noir variety which reveals, in its northern location of Bourgogne, lots of freshness and fruitiness that gives the appellation a very special place among the wines of the region. This video is taken from the “Rendez-vous avec les vins de Bourgogne” program (June 2020). Our social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BourgogneWines Twitter: https: ...